Call for Withdrawl of Nov (CA) Initiative to Gut Unfair Business Law

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"60 Public Interest Groups Call on Corporate Donors to Withdraw Nov. '04 Initiative to Gut Unfair Business Competition Law

2/19/04 1:21:00 PM


SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Sixty public interest organizations, including environmental, labor, consumer, senior and civil rights groups representing over 4.5 million Californians, sent a letter today to the corporate donors to an initiative which will gut the state's premier consumer protection law, calling on them to withdraw their support and ask for their money back.

"The Unfair Business Competition Law is the California law that gives consumer and public interest groups a fighting chance against unfair, illegal or fraudulent practices of car dealers, HMOs and corporate polluters. We urge you -- for the sake of a safe society, honest market, and your family's health -- to withdraw your support and request a refund of your money," the groups wrote.

The letter, signed by organizations including AARP, California ACORN, California Church IMPACT, California League of Conservation Voters, California National Organization for Women, CalPIRG, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), Sierra Club and United Farm Workers is available online at: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/electionwatchdog/fs/fs000018.php

ElectionWatchdog.org was launched today to expose the grave danger of the initiative proposal and how real people will suffer if it succeeds.

The measure is currently circulating and is proposed for the November ballot. It would eliminate the right of public interest organizations to bring cases on behalf of Californians to prevent injury or harm to the environment, workers, consumers or the public health, instead only allowing cases brought by the government or after the damage has been done. Further, the legislature would never be allowed to amend the law.

"The initiative will take away the right of nursing home patients to sue to prevent elder abuse, allow insurers to avoid paying legitimate claims, permit banks to skim home equity from seniors, and give polluters carte-blanche," warned the groups...."

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=123-02192004